Most people would probably prefer not to think about how much they spend per month, let alone per year, on video streaming services. Between watching the latest on-demand originals, popular movies, and live-streaming channels, you can easily end up paying $50 or more per month. However, you can save on costs by using one or several free video streaming options.
Note that these free options aren't as sophisticated as paid streaming services, nor do they have as much or as high-quality content. You can think of these as complementary services to cover any gaps in your entertainment needs. You can get by just watching free services if that's what fits your budget, but you should expect some compromises.
With that in mind, these are our favorite free video streaming services, along with advice on the content and features you can expect to get with them.
Table of Contents
Tubi
Best for Movies
Why We Picked It
Tubi is a free video streaming service with approximately 50,000 movies and TV shows. Its catalog includes popular films such as Brightburn, The Matrix, and Rush Hour. Notable TV entries include Degrassi: The Next Generation, Everybody Hates Chris, Hell's Kitchen, and Naruto.
Who It’s For
Tubi is for people who want a free service that doesn't feel cheap. The service's web interface and mobile apps have clean designs that organize everything into descriptive categories. Tubi's movie and TV catalogs are especially impressive—if you're OK with ads.
PROS
- Free
- Extensive library of movies and shows
- Live TV
- Modern apps and interfaces
- Supports watchlists
- Parental control features
CONS
- 720p streaming resolution cap
- Lacks an ad-free option
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
Kanopy
Best for Educational and Family Content
Why We Picked It
Kanopy offers free educational viewing materials to the groups who need it most. If you have a library card or a current university email address, you can access Kanopy without paying a cent. Kanopy also supports an unlimited number of simultaneous streams per account, and is ad-free.
Who It’s For
Kanopy’s “thoughtful entertainment” appeals to people who want high-quality films and documentaries, for adults and children alike. Its partners include A24, Bleecker Street, HBO Documentary Films, Paramount, PBS, and Samuel Goldwyn Films.
PROS
- Thousands of on-demand films and shows
- Free with a library card or university email address
- Lacks ads
- Unlimited access to Kanopy Kids content
- Can create and share/embed clips and playlists
- No limit on simultaneous streaming from a single account
CONS
- You can only stream a handful of Play Credit titles a month
- Does not support offline downloads on mobile devices
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
Crunchyroll
Best for Current Anime
Why We Picked It
Crunchyroll’s free offering isn't quite as generous as it used to be, but you can still enjoy anime hits in the ad-supported tier without signing up for a paid account. Most notably, you can watch a rotating "seasonal sampler" that features the first three episodes of new titles.
Who It’s For
After absorbing rivals Funimation and VRV, Crunchyroll is the undisputed king of major anime streaming services. Anyone interested in the latest top shows doesn’t have much choice. Fortunately, Crunchyroll is convenient and comprehensive enough to be worthy of its top status.
PROS
- Expansive anime library, including Funimation dubs
- All tiers support HD streaming
- Many simulcast shows
- Some original series
- Manga and apparel store
- Offline downloads
- Free mobile games
CONS
- Some interface clutter
- Few subtitle options
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $7.99 per month |
| Concurrent Streams | 6 |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
Plex
Best for Streaming Local Media Libraries
Why We Picked It
Plex now has a surprising amount of free on-demand streaming content. The catalog includes Crackle’s full library of movies and TV shows, as well as films from MGM, Warner Bros., and other major studios. Although you can’t download this content to your media server, you don’t need to reserve space for it, either.
Who It’s For
Plex isn’t really a video streaming service. It’s software that helps you set up a personal media server so you can easily stream your own content through your own network. That’s very useful and cool, and Plex is great at it. However, make sure you know that’s what you’re getting.
PROS
- Capable free version
- Intuitive apps on many platforms
- Easy setup
- Growing library of on-demand and preprogrammed video streaming content
CONS
- HTPC support only through forums
- Limited interface themes
- Removed features like gaming and podcasts
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
Vudu
Best for On-Demand Purchases
Why We Picked It
Vudu has a huge library of mainstream movies and TV shows, and a surprising amount are available to watch for free with minimal ads. If you're willing to pay, you can also purchase and rent even more titles. Useful search features and offline mobile downloads sweeten the deal.
Who It's For
Vudu is for people who want the best of both worlds when it comes to video streaming pricing. It's appealing as a free, ad-supported service, as well as a paid rental service. So you can switch back and forth between the two viewing options whenever you want.
PROS
- Free streaming with ads
- Lets you rent and purchase movies
- Useful search filters
- Offline mobile downloads
- Select titles in 4K resolution
CONS
- Mediocre interface and video player
- Virtually no original programming
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | 3 |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
Amazon Freevee
Best for Popular Movies and Family Titles
Why We Picked It
Previously known as IMDb TV, Freevee is Amazon’s free alternative to Prime Video. You can watch ad-supported versions of popular shows and movies, such as Mad Men and Logan. Freevee also has original shows, including Bosch Legacy and other spin-offs of original Prime Video shows.
Who It’s For
Freevee is just one more reason to step into the Amazon ecosystem. When you aren’t buying products or enjoying the company’s other subscription services, you can also watch movies and shows without forking over cash. Even if you don’t eventually sign up for Prime, free entertainment appeals to everyone.
PROS
- Decent movie collection
- Reliable streaming performance in testing
- Supports many popular platforms and devices
- Free
CONS
- Small selection of original programming
- Few notable TV shows
- Disjointed navigation experience on the web
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
CW Seed
Best for Fans of Older CW Shows
Why We Picked It
CW Seed offers complete seasons of popular CW shows for free. From 90210 to Krypton to The Game, it’s all there. You just have to watch commercials, as you would with the over-the-air CW.
Who It’s For
Who knows what the future holds for the CW network, what with all the breakups and mergers surrounding its corporate parents. In the meantime, CW Seed is a slick free way for you to stream the channel’s enjoyable, teen-friendly lineup.
PROS
- Free
- Complete seasons of popular series
- Available on many different platforms
- Slick app design
CONS
- Many ads per episode
- Cannot download videos for offline viewing
- Small library
- Only available in the US
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | N/A |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
Midnight Pulp
Best for Schlock
Why We Picked It
Midnight Pulp offers an awesome and eclectic collection of cult movies and shows. You may not want to pay for any of this schlock, but the free, ad-supported tier gives you nearly everything you could ask for from this service.
Who It's For
Midnight Pulp is for genre explorers. Without worrying about potentially wasting money, the service encourages you to hop around its macabre library of exploitation, sci-fi, and horror. You may accidentally wind up watching something that probably shouldn't exist.
PROS
- Hundreds of cult movies and shows
- Free tier
- Curated collections
CONS
- Few recognizable titles
- Inconsistent accessibility features
- Lackluster premium perks
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | $4.99 per month |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
PBS Video
Best for Exploring Local Cultures
Why We Picked It
PBS Video gives you free access to PBS content, including on-demand streaming, local broadcasts, and live shows. PBS offers several different streaming services, such as PBS Documentaries and PBS Passport, but this is the only free one.
Who It’s For
PBS Video is for people interested in what the public broadcaster has always offered: programming that helps you stay informed about history and current culture. This free gateway to that knowledge only furthers that mission. Note, however, that some content is locked behind paid tiers.
PROS
- Free
- Varied on-demand streaming library
- Includes access to live streams from local PBS broadcast stations
CONS
- Paid PBS Passport subscription required to watch the most popular PBS shows
- No support for offline downloads on mobile devices
- Most programming is only available in the US
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
RetroCrush
Best for Retro Anime
Why We Picked It
RetroCrush is a completely free anime streaming service. You can watch everything in its library, and don't have to endure many ads. The flip side is that the small library is limited to older shows and movies, not contemporary content.
Who It’s For
Classic anime should be seen as a genre unto itself. Even if you don’t like or keep up with what the kids are into now, anime from twenty or thirty years ago provides a curated nostalgia blast. RetroCrush is for fans who care more about Golgo 13 and Urusei Yatsura than Attack on Titan.
PROS
- Excellent free tier
- Exclusive retro anime shows and movies
- 24/7 "live" feed
- Surprisingly infrequent ads
CONS
- Small library, even at premium tier
- Lacks community and accessibility features
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
The Roku Channel
Best for Roku Users
Why We Picked It
The Roku Channel delivers free, ad-supported shows, movies, and original material. This includes live TV and the ability to purchase premium paid channels. On mobile, it even turns your phone into a Roku remote.
Who It’s For
Countless viewers already use Roku, either as a separate media streaming device or as software built directly into the TV. So why not check out the free content Roku has to offer? The Roku Channel is also for anyone who's wondering where Quibi’s shows ended up, since Roku bought the library from the ill-fated short-form video platform.
PROS
- Free
- Original shows
- Live TV
- Premium channel options
- Mobile app doubles as a TV remote
CONS
- No ad-free option
- Library feels random
- No offline downloads
- Limited control over video quality
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
Crackle
Best for HD Streams
Why We Picked It
Crackle is a free ad-supported streaming service that focuses on film. Its library features more than 1,000 movies. The TV library is much smaller, around 100 shows, but still covers many genres. There are even some original shows.
Who It’s For
Film fans. Crackle has some limitations, like its weak TV lineup and many ads, but its free movie library is worth checking out. Plus, it has reliable streaming performance, which is something you can’t always count on with free services that hide video quality.
PROS
- Decent collection of movies
- Reliable streaming performance
CONS
- Lots of ads
- Lackluster web and mobile interfaces
- Few high-quality shows
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | Unlimited |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
Pluto TV
Best for Cord-Cutters
Why We Picked It
Pluto TV is a free, live streaming service. That means you can watch ongoing live broadcasts across more than 250 different channels without paying for cable. Many channels are niche and only marathon, say, one old sitcom. That said, PlutoTV has a lot to choose from, even if you don't subscribe to its premium cable channels.
Who It’s For
Pluto TV is great for viewers who want to use internet streaming for a more traditional TV experience. Instead of picking specific on-demand content, just hop between live channels and see where they take you.
PROS
- Free
- Wide variety of content
- Does not require an account
CONS
- Very few traditional cable channels
- Lots of ads
- Bare-bones features
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free |
| Concurrent Streams | N/A |
| Live TV | |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | |
| Original Programming | |
| Anime | |
| Ads | |
| Offline Downloads on Mobile |
What Can You Stream for Free?
As with paid services, there are two main types of free video streaming services: on-demand and live. Some free options, like PBS Video, offer both content types.
Crackle, CW Seed, IMDb TV, Kanopy, Midnight Pulp, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi all have on-demand movies. Amazon Freevee has the most popular movies of the bunch, while Kanopy and PBS Video distinguish themselves with top-notch documentaries. Serious cinephiles should check out dedicated movie streaming services, such as The Criterion Channel or Mubi. You may be surprised to find that Crackle and Tubi's movie libraries are larger than those of many paid services, but paid services have higher-quality titles. Anecdotally, many of the free services share the same movies, too.
Crackle, CW Seed, IMDb TV, PBS Video, Pluto TV, and Tubi all offer on-demand TV shows. CW Seed, IMDb TV, and PBS Video have the most mainstream shows of this group, however, and you might seriously wonder who watches the programming on these other free services.
Paid video streaming services, such as Max and Paramount+, use popular current and classic shows to build up their catalogs (often with exclusives), so it makes sense that there aren't many marquee titles for free services to grab. Still, free streaming is becoming an increasingly important part of the streaming landscape.
Crackle and Freevee are unique among free options in that they produce original series. Just don't expect the production value or quality storytelling of Amazon Prime Video's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Netflix's Stranger Things, or Paramount+'s Star Trek: Picard. The Roku Channel also has a surprising amount of original shows it acquired from the defunct Quibi.
